Queen Camel Cares is a support service for people within Queen Camel for those times when life can appear difficult and overwhelming. Maybe you’re returning home alone following an operation, coping after the loss of a loved one, need help with hospital visits or just need someone to talk to. Get in contact via the details below.

The service is free of charge but a contribution towards petrol for hospital visits is always appreciated.

We are the first point of contact for all Somerset GP patients enquiring about transport to their NHS appointments. We assess patients’ eligibility on their medical need, mobility and various other factors and if suitable can provide free car, W/C Taxi or ambulance transportation. Our lines are open from 08:30 – 18:30 Monday to Friday.

We provide accessible transport for local people who have no access to public transport because of location or who are unable to us the public transport available due to access problems or disabilities.

Set up to provide transport to the communities of Wincanton, Bruton, Castle Cary and the surrounding villages.

We have several buses that make trips to the local towns and supermarkets and we have volunteer drivers with their own cars if you need to go further afield for a hospital appointment.

We are a limited company and a registered charity, and as a non-profit-making business all the money we take goes back to provide the service. Whether it’s your weekly shop in the supermarket or a trip to the hospital for an appointment, we can help you.

If you are disabled, you may be able to exchange your mobility allowance to get a vehicle that suits your needs. What’s more you don’t even need to drive. Family, friends or carers can drive on your behalf.
The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair by exchanging their Government funded mobility allowance . If you receive either the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA), the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP) , the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or the Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme.

The Blue Badge Scheme provides national parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel as drivers or passengers. The scheme is also for people who are severely sight impaired. People who have a blue badge can park close to their destination in on-street parking and car parks. The form can either be filled in online or you can call Somerset County Council.

The cost of a blue badge is £10. The badge can only be used with the person who owns the badge in the car at the time of parking, as a photograph is used on the badge, for identification. Badges take approximately a month to arrive.

Yeovil Shopmobility is a scheme providing powered scooters, as well as powered and manual wheelchairs to enable people with limited mobility to shop and use other pleasure/leisure facilities in Yeovil. We also have transportable equipment which will fit into the boot of a car for longer term hire.

It may be possible to claim back travel expenses to hospital appointments, if you are in receipt of certain benefits. You may be able to get financial help from the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme if you: • are on a low income • need NHS treatment at a hospital, other NHS center or private clinic • have been referred by a healthcare professional.
HTCS does not apply if you are: • visiting a GP or dentist for routine appointments • visiting others in hospital • visiting A&E or Minor Injury Units. Claims can be made to the individual hospitals.

We may be able to help people in need, living in the South West, with funding for respite holidays, days away, taxis etc. Registered charity 1069330

For information on disabled access, wheelchair walks, easy access for all, mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles and buggy walks visit the ACE website.

This site also provides information regarding taxi companies with disabled friendly taxis, along with wheelchair and scooter hire.

You may be able to apply for a disabled person’s rail card, if you are in receipt of certain benefits, are visually impaired or registered as deaf, please see website for details, the card will allow you a third off rail travel and costs £20.00 a year.

National Express, Senior Coach Card, Disabled Coach Card and Young Persons Coach Card give a third off standard fares. Coach Card costs £10 a year.

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Passes are available for residents of Somerset who are of pensionable age or eligible on the grounds of disability. The pass allows you to travel free on buses in every area of England subject to certain time restrictions. Download application form online or contact Transporting Somerset who will post form.